Teatro Amazonas

Lonely Planet review

Opened in 1896, the Teatro Amazonas opera house symbolizes the opulence of the Manaus of old. It was designed in eclectic neoclassical style by engineers from Lisbon and a team of interior designers at the height of the rubber boom. Most of the artists and materials (Italian marble and glass, Scottish cast iron) came from Europe.

Inaugurated in 1997, the annual Manaus Opera Festival brings high-quality opera deep into the rain forest. The three-week gala usually takes place in late-April and early-May, and audience apparel ranges from tuxedos and ballroom gowns, to jeans and T-shirts that have obviously done duty in the jungle (they do draw the line at shorts, tank tops and flip flops, however). Tickets are available several weeks before the festival opens.